Locking means for receptacle closures



Feb. 18, 1930. E. WHITE 1,747,203

LOCKING MEANS FOR RECEPTACLE GLOSURES Filed Sept. 13. 1928 Patented Feb. 18, 1930 EDWIN ELLIS WHITE, PAINTSVILLE, KENTUCKY LOCKING MEANS FOR RECEPTACLE GLOSURES Application filed September 13, 1928. Serial No. 305,709.

This invention has for its object the provision of a simple, compact and inexpensive device whereby the unauthorized removal of a container closure will be prevented. The invention is intended primarily for use on the fuel tanks of automobiles but may be employed wherever it is desired to guard the contents of a container against theft. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing and will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly defined.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of the invention arranged to prevent removal of a filter tube cap;

Figure 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

A portion of a tank is indicated at 1, said tank having a filler tube 2 which is normally closed by a cap 3.

In carrying out the present invention, there is provided a basal supporting member consisting of a bar or band doubled on it- 5 self to form a loop 4 encircling the filler tube,

parallel intermediate webs 5 extending outwardly from said 100p opposed arcuate seating members 6 at the outer ends of said webs, and short terminal ears 7 beyond said seating members. The loop 4 is riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the filler tube and the seating members 6 pass around a post 8 and are secured thereto by pins 9, while bolts 10 and 11 are fitted through the webs 5 and the terminals 7, respectively, to prevent spreading. Rotatably mounted in the post 8 is a central spindle 12 having a keeper arm 13 formed integral with and projecting laterally from its upper end to extend over the cap 3, as shown in Fig. 1. In the upper end of the post is formed a recess presenting radial vertical shoulders 14 at a right angle to each other, and a stop pin 15 is secured in the side of the spindle to play in the recess between said shoulders, it being seen at once that the pin projecting over the post prevents dropping of the spindle and thereby minimize possible wear between the cap and the arm 13.

On the side of the post is a housing 16 in which is fitted a key-controlled lock 17, pref- 5O erably of the cylinder type. This lock is secured to the post by inside screws 18 and openings 19 are formed in the outer side of the post to permit the insertion of a screwdriver in assembling the parts. The bolt of the lock 17 is arranged to engage a socket 20 in the spindle to lock the keeper arm 13 in position over the cap, and it is desirable to provide two sockets so that the spindle may be locked in either of two positions so that it will not spin and rattle and swing the keeper arm against adjacent parts should the vehicle be driven with the cap unguarded. One boltreceiving socket is alined with the stop pin 15 so that the pin not only limits the turning movement of the spindle but also constitutes an indicator. When the stop pin abuts either shoulder 14, one socket 20 will be in position to be engaged by the bolt of the lock 17 The cap 3 is removed from the filler tube by an upward movement, and it will be seen at once that When the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 1, the cap cannot be removed until the bolt of the lock 17 has been retracted and the spindle turned to swing the keeper arm laterally from over the cap. A reverse operation will bring the keeper arm into position over the cap.

Having fully described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letgo ters Patent, is

1. The combination with a filler tube, and its cap, of a post fixed adjacent the tube, a vertical spindle rotatably mounted in the post, a keeper arm extending from the upper end of the spindle to project over the cap, a lock secured on the post and having a bolt adapted to engage the spindle, and means to set the spindle in bolt-receiving position.

2. The combination with a filler tube, and its cap, of a post fixed adjacent the tube, a spindle rotatably mounted in the post and provided with bolt-receiving sockets, a lock on the side of the post having a bolt adapted to engage said sockets, a keeper arm at the upper end of the spindle adapted to project over the cap, stop shoulders on the post, and a stop on the spindle to play between said shoulders, said stop being alined with a boltreceiving socket.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

EDWIN ELLIS WHITE. 

